Pass 03–04 · Workbook page
Pricing the first small job, and earning the second one
The first paid job is a small piece, turned carefully. Pricing it well, and delivering it well, decides whether there is a second one.
Start from time, not from hope
Your sample cards already recorded how long similar pieces took. Add a margin for talking with the client, revisions and admin. A job that took three hours as practice often takes four or five with a real client. Price the real number.
A simple pricing worksheet
| Line | How to estimate | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hours | Practice time plus 30–50% for client contact | 4.5 h |
| Hourly target | What your time is worth to you, checked against local rates | R$ 40 |
| Materials and tools | Anything used up or bought for the job | R$ 15 |
| Platform and payment fees | Check each service's current fee table | about 10–20% |
| Tax reserve | Set aside a share until you confirm your obligations | a fixed share |
These numbers are illustrations, not a forecast. Rates vary widely by skill, city and client, and many people earn little or nothing from side work for a long time.
Fees and tax are part of the price
Marketplaces, payment links and card machines usually keep a percentage. Some charge to withdraw funds. Income from side work may need to be declared, and in Brazil there are specific registrations for small independent activity. Rules change, so check official sources or an accountant before the money arrives, not after.
Check your employment contract
Many contracts include exclusivity, non-compete or confidentiality clauses. Read yours. Do not use your employer's tools, time, clients or information for side work. When in doubt, ask HR or a lawyer.
Deliver so that a second job is easy
- Agree the scope in writing: what is included, how many revisions, the deadline and the price.
- Deliver on time, or warn early if you cannot.
- Send a short note with the delivery explaining what you did.
- Ask one question: is there anything you would want done differently next time?
Repeat work usually comes from reliability rather than brilliance. A client who knows exactly what they will get, and when, tends to come back. Raise prices gradually, with notice, as your speed and quality improve.